Munich, 27 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Michael Schumacher will always be remembered as a Formula One icon and he also effectively led the Ferrari team during his successful spell there, former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has said.

Ecclestone, 93, told dpa on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Schumacher's skiing accident in France that he helped boost the German's career in its early stages.

Schumacher made his F1 debut in 1991 at the Jordan team but was already at Benetton for the next race and won his first two world titles with them in 1995 and 1995. He then joined Ferrari and won his other five titles with the Scuderia 2000-2004.

"I knew that he was talented. Eddie Jordan was very convinced of him, he had a good eye. Michael surely would have found another cockpit but we took a few shortcuts for Schui. We stole him from Jordan," Ecclestone recalled.

Looking at Schumacher's Ferrari era during which he helped the team end a long title drought, Ecclestone said: "One day we were sitting together and I asked him: who is leading this team? And he answered: I am going that.

"He did that really well. He could get the best out of the people. He earned the respect of the people, they listened to him. When ever he said something they knew it was correct. Whatever Michael said, [team principal Jean] Todt followed it."

Ecclestone said he could not really understand why Schumacher retired for the first time in 2006 because "he still was so good" but that he is remembered as an icon in sport.

"Of course Michael profited from Formula One but Formula One profited at the same time to have him around. There are enough drivers who simply disappear and no one remembers them. That is of course different with Schui. Like Lewis Hamilton these days he stands for an own brand," Ecclestone said.

Ecclestone named Schumacher "quite normal, simply a nice guy," but only has vague memories of Schumacher's ski accident day, December 29, 2013, since when he has been shielded by his family and not appeared in public, his health status unknown.

"No one knew at the time what had happened and which consequences it would have. It took a long time until the people understood what had happened," Ecclestone said.

"I miss him. He is a star and will always be remembered as a star," Ecclestone said.

Photo: EPA